Thailand's Army Declares Martial Law Tuesday May 20,2014

Thailand's army has declared martial law, intensifying the turbulent nation's deepening political crisis but denying a coup d'etat was under way.

The move came after a six-month political stalemate, which has involved widespread anti-government demonstrations.

The shock pre-dawn announcement, which effectively places the army in charge of public security nationwide, came after six months of anti-government demonstrations aimed at ousting the government and a day after the south-east Asian country's caretaker prime minister refused to step down.

The army said in a statement that the military had taken the action to 'keep peace and order' and soldiers entered several private television stations in the capital Bangkok to broadcast their message.

Thai soldiers occupy the foyer of the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand television station in Bangkok

The military statement was signed by army chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-Ocha.

It cited a 1914 law that gives it authority to intervene during times of crisis, and said it had taken the action because on-going mass rallies between political rivals 'could impact the country's security and safety of the lives and properties of the public.'

Note
Thailand's political crisis began in 2006, when Yingluck's brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was toppled by a military coup after being accused of corruption, abuse of power and disrespect for King Bhumibol Adulyadej

Thaksin Shinwatra, a former telecommunications billionaire, remains highly popular among the poor in the north and northeast, and parties controlled by him have won every national election since 2001

Thailand has been without a sitting parliament since December 2013, when then-premier Yingluck Shinawatra refused to bow to pressure to step down but called an election for February 2014 in an attempt to ease unrest

The February 2014 elections were sabotaged by the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), led by Suthep Thaugsuban.

Election officials were unable to schedule a new poll before Yingluck was removed on May 7, 2014 after a court found her and nine of her ministers guilty of abuse of power.

Thailand's acting prime minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan insisted on Monday that his government will not resign, resisting pressure from a group of senators who are seeking ways to settle the country's political crisis, and from anti-government protesters who are demanding an appointed prime minister.